-고서
After Doing, And Then
'-고서' means 'after doing (something), and then...'. It links two actions where the first must finish before the second starts.
How It Works
'-고서' is a connective ending used to show a sequence of events. It attaches to a verb stem and indicates that the action in the first clause is completed before the action in the second clause begins.
Key Features:
- Sequence and Completion: It emphasizes that the first action is fully finished. For example, '밥을 먹고서 TV를 봤어요' means 'After finishing my meal, I watched TV.'
- Causal Relationship: It can imply that the first action is the cause or reason for the second. For example, '열심히 일하고서 돈을 많이 벌었어요' (After working hard, I earned a lot of money) suggests the hard work led to the earnings.
- Unexpected Results: It can also be used when the result of the first action is unexpected or contrary to what one would assume. For example, '그렇게 약속을 하고서 오지 않았다' (After making such a promise, he didn't come).
Comparison with similar patterns:
- -고: The most general sequential connector. '-고서' is often interchangeable with '-고' but adds more emphasis on the completion or the connection between the clauses.
- -고 나서: Very similar to '-고서' and often interchangeable. The main difference is a grammatical restriction: '-고서' cannot be followed by an imperative (-으세요) or propositive (-ㅂ시다) clause, while '-고 나서' can.
Rule: The subject of the first and second clauses must be the same.
Examples (4)
- 밥을 먹고서 숙제를 했어요.
After eating a meal, I did my homework.
Word by Word: Meal eat-and-then homework did.
This shows a simple sequence of actions. First, the action of eating was completed, and then the action of doing homework began.
- 열심히 공부하고서 시험에 합격했어요.
After studying hard, I passed the exam.
Word by Word: Diligently study-and-then exam passed.
Here, '-고서' implies a causal link. The act of studying hard is presented as the reason for passing the exam.
- 그는 약속을 하고서 나타나지 않았어요.
He made a promise and then didn't show up.
Word by Word: He promise made-and-then did not appear.
This example shows an unexpected result. Making a promise would normally lead one to expect the person to appear, but the opposite happened.
- 창문을 닫고서 에어컨을 켰어요.
After closing the window, I turned on the air conditioner.
Word by Word: Window close-and-then air conditioner turned on.
This demonstrates a logical sequence where the first action (closing the window) is a necessary or sensible step before the second (turning on the AC).
Common Mistakes
Using '-고서' with commands or suggestions.
Different Meaning숙제를 다 하고서 놀러 가세요.Better숙제를 다 하고 나서 놀러 가세요.'-고서' cannot be followed by imperative endings like '-으세요' or propositive endings like '-ㅂ시다'. In these cases, you must use -고 나서 or simply -고.
Using different subjects in the two clauses.
Different Meaning내가 밥을 먹고서 동생이 설거지를 했다.Better내가 밥을 먹은 후에 동생이 설거지를 했다.The subject performing the action before and after '-고서' must be the same. In the incorrect sentence, 'I' ate and 'my younger sibling' did the dishes. To connect actions by different subjects, you can use a different structure like -ㄴ 다음에/후에.
Learn This First
To express 'after doing, and then', you need conjugation and connector knowledge.
Related Patterns
- -고 나서After Doing, And Then
Very similar to '-고서', both emphasizing the completion of the first action. However, '-고 나서' can be followed by commands and suggestions (e.g., -으세요, -ㅂ시다), while '-고서' cannot.
- -ㄴ 다음에/후에After -ing
Also means 'after doing...'. It focuses purely on the temporal order of events, whereas '-고서' can imply a stronger connection or cause between the two actions.
- -아/어서Because of, Therefore
Can show a sequence with a strong causal relationship ('so', 'therefore'). Unlike '-고서', the first clause with '-아/어서' cannot have a past tense marker, and the causal link is usually more direct.
- -자마자As Soon as
Means 'as soon as'. It indicates an immediate action following the first one with no delay. '-고서' implies a sequence but not necessarily an immediate one.